School Election this Tues May 5th

School elections are held this Tuesday around the state. Some elections include levies to fund school infrastructure and programs and some include races for trustees/school board members who make important decisions about curriculum, funding priorities, facilities etc for schools. See below for more information on school board elections in your area.

Missoula – Has elementary and a high school “maintenance” levy as well as 3 trustee candidates running for 2 seats to represent the whole district (Chris Jones, Joseph Knapp and Nancy Pickhardt) and 2 candidates running for 1 seat to represent the Hellgate Elementary School District (Marcia Holland & Rick Johns).

• For general info, candidates and levies visit the school district website.
• Missoulian Q&A with both Hellgate candidates
• Missoula Independent article on Chris Jones Controversial Candidate Stirs School Board Election

Billings This is only one election for trustee on the ballot (which will be conducted by mail). Although according to a recent Gazette article ShellyVan Atta has endorsed her opponent Barbara Bryan but her name will still appear on the ballot. There is no mill levy on the Billing ballot.

Helena has a no trustee races this year but does have both a elementary ($323,000) and high school levy ($138,000). Read more about the levy in a letter from the superintendent.

Bozeman May 5th school election has been cancelled as there as only 3 candidates ran for the 3 open seats. An election will be called in June if a levy is requested. More info here.

Bitterroot – No Bitterroot schools districts are requesting a levy at this time. Only Stevi, Florence and Darby are holding elections this May as only these districts have contested trustee races. Read the Ravalli Republic article for more info.

Healthy MT Kids Fully Funded in Budget!

We have something important to celebrate!!

Today on very last day of the MT session Legislators are expected to pass a compromise budget that includes full funding for the Healthy Montana Kids Program, overwhelming approved by voters last fall. The budget also restores the 3% funding increase for public education.

A lot of this is thanks to you, the voters who cared enough to contact your legislators, write letters to the editor and speak out about the importance of funding health care for kids. Without the public outcry the Healthy MT Kids program would have been cut in half and 15,000 uninsured kids would be left without access to healthcare.

In compromises there are always losses. . .

Unfortunately concessions were made in order to get Republican support for the budget.

On particularly sad loss was that funding for birth control under CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Program) that was added mid-session into the budget was removed in the recent budget deal. Montana is one of only 2 states that doesn’t cover birth control under CHIP (which covers young people up to the age of 19) even though, ironically, prenatal care is covered. This is a shortsighted, inexcusable policy and MWV and our partners NARAL and Planned Parenthood will be back next session to work to get this changed.

Unfortunately funding for aging services and child support enforcement were also cut back to the levels approved in the initial House budget. Read a recent Independent Record article about the deal and what was cut and what stayed.

The long and short is that it has been a tough session, especially for those Montanans most in need. The original budget had a $32 million dollar cut to state investment in Health and Human Service; the compromise budget cuts $22 million, which of course is still painful for Montana families.

We are thankful that at least Healthy MT Kids and public education were saved from the chopping block, but know that we need to do better for Montana. And of course electing people who support the issues we care about is really the first and most important step in this process. Read an article about term-limits and how they may effect upcoming election and legislative work.

Want to know more details about how it all went down? Look for the Montana Women Vote summary of how our agenda faired in the 2009 session coming early next week.

Action in the Senate Finance and Claims Committee

Montana Women Vote, with our partner organization MT Human Right Network, engaged in direct action on Monday the 6th and descended on the Senate Finance and Claims Committee to protest the cut of 15,000 children from the Healthy Montana Kids Plan. Twenty two of us wore T-Shirts that said "FULLY FUND I-155! I REPRESENT 15,000 HEALTHY MONTANA KIDS VOTERS." Together representing the 330,000 voter who supported Healthy Montana Kids.

This protest was in direct response to actions by the committee. On Friday night, 10 Senate Republicans voted to pass an amendment that reduced funding for the Healthy Montana Kids Plan by half. For more picture visit http://www.flickr.com/photos/montanawomenvote/?saved=1

If I were you, I would be mad. -- Healthy Montna Kids funding cut by over 50%

Montanans like you voted in support of the Healthy Montana Kids Plan (I-155) by over 70% in November 2008 and late Friday night ten Republicans on the Senate Finance Committee went against the will of 329,432 voters by amending the voter initiative and denying medical care to 15,000 uninsured Montana children (half of the kids who would have been covered). The ballot cearly stated that $22 million would be invested by the state to recieve the federal match of more than $3.50 for each $1 Montana invests in the program. That investment apporved by voters has now been cut by more than half down to $10.7 million.

The Senate Republicans in the Senate Finance and Claims Committee argued that Montana voters did not understand what they were voting for and claimed the plan was too expensive even though all the money was set aside in a special revenue account and ONLY needed to be implemented.

What you can do?
Contact your Senators (info below) by Wed morning and tell them fully fund Healthy Montana Kids!

If you live in the areas below we especially need your help with these targets/possible swing votes:

• In the Huntley and/or Billings area contact Sen. Taylor Brown -- and forward this email or call on to all your friends ASAP
• If you are from the Flathead contact Sen. Ryan Zinke (Whitefish -voted against HMK in committee) and Sen. John Brueggerman (Polson -- the one Republican on the committee who voted for Healthy MT Kids) -- and forward this email or call on to all your friends ASAP
• If you are from the Bitterroot, please contact Sen. Rick Liable (voted against HMK in committee) -- and forward this email or call on to all your friends ASAP
  

If you do not live in these areas . . . do you have friends or family in Billings, the Flathead or the Bitterroot? Please call them or email them ASAP and ask them to contact these Senators. We need help to get this message out and promise it will only take 90 seconds or less of your time to call.

Super easy ways to contact your Senators

• Leave a phone message call 406-444-4800 between 8am and 5pm and you message will be delivered right to a Senator's desk
• Email your legislators by filling out this form http://leg.mt.gov/css/Sessions/61st/legwebmessage.asp

Don't know who your Senator is? FIND OUT! http://nris.mt.gov/gis/legislat/2009/

P.S. The full Senate will consider the budget on Wednesday morning. 15,000 kids are counting on you to contact your Republican Senator TODAY! Have you already taken action on this issue? Please we need you to do it again!

Help Stop Cuts to Healthy MT Kids!

If I were you, I would be mad. Montanans like you voted in support of the Healthy Montana Kids Plan (I-155) by over 70% in November 2008 and late Friday night ten Republicans on the Senate Finance Committee went against the will of 329,432 voters by amending the voter initiative and denying medical care to 15,000 uninsured Montana children (half of the kids who would have been covered).

The Senate Republicans in the Senate Finance and Claims Committee argued that Montana voters did not understand what they were voting for and claimed the plan was too expensive even though all the money was set aside in a special revenue account and ONLY needed to be implemented.

What you can do?Contact your Senators (info below) by Wed morning and tell them fully fund Healthy Montana Kids!If you live in the areas below we especially need your help with these targets/possible swing votes:

In the Huntley and/or Billings area contact Sen. Taylor Brown -- and forward this email or call on to all your friends ASAP.

If you are from the Flathead contact Sen. Ryan Zinke (Whitefish -voted against HMK in committee) and Sen. John Brueggerman (Polson -- the one Republican on the committee who voted for Healthy MT Kids) -- and forward this email or call on to all your friends ASAP

If you are from the Bitterroot, please contact Sen. Rick Liable (voted against HMK in committee) -- and forward this email or call on to all your friends ASAP

If you do not live in these areas . . . do you have friends or family in Billings, the Flathead or the Bitterroot? Please call them or email them ASAP and ask them to contact these Senators. We need help to get this message out and promise it will only take 90 seconds or less of your time to call.Super easy ways to contact your SenatorsLeave a phone message call 406-444-4800 between 8am and 5pm and you message will be delivered right to a Senator's desk.

Email your legislators by filling out this form http://leg.mt.gov/css/Sessions/61st/legwebmessage.asp

Don't know who your Senator is? FIND OUT! http://nris.mt.gov/gis/legislat/2009/P.S. The full Senate will consider the budget on Wednesday morning. 15,000 kids are counting on you to contact your Republican Senator TODAY! Have you already taken action on this issue? Please we need you to do it again!

House Defeats Five Anti-Choice Blast Motions

This update comes to us from our friends at Planned Parenthood of MT!

Anti-choice legislators in the Montana House of Representatives attempted to "blast" 5 dangerous bills out of committee and onto the House floor for a full vote. Despite pressure from anti-choice Representatives and lobbyists, 43 House Representatives stood up for Montanans and defeated ALL 5 anti-choice "blasts." These 43 Representatives remained consistent in their opposition to these bad bills that would have hurt Montana women and families.

The bills blasted: SB 46 & 406, severely weaken Montanans’ constitutionally guaranteed right to privacyHB 661, places additional regulations on licensed abortion providers to provide abortion careSB 374, unconstitutional and puts vulnerable teenagers at riskSB 327, has three anti-choice provisions including defining life beginning at conception.

So how did your Representative vote? Check out the list of 43 House members who resisted them ALL! Don't see your Rep. on the list, give them a call and LEAVE A VOICE MESSAGE for individual legislators during business hours: 406-444-4800.

Shannon Augare (D, Browning) Dick Barrett (D, Missoula ) Paul Beck (D, Red Lodge) Arlene Becker (D, Billings ) Bob Bergren (D, Havre) Anders Blewett (D, Great Falls ) Carlie Boland (D, Great Falls ) Mary Caferro (D, Helena) Frosty Calf Boss Ribs (D, Heart Butte ) Margaret Campbell (D, Poplar) Jill Cohenour (D, East Helena ) Sue Dickenson (D, Great Falls ) Robyn Driscoll (D, Billings ) Bob Ebinger (D, Livingston) John Fleming (D, Saint Ignatius) Timothy Furey (D, Missoula ) Dennis Getz (D, Glendive) Wanda Grinde (D, Billings ) Art Noonan (D, Butte ) Robin Hamilton (D, Missoula ) Betsy Hands (D, Missoula ) Teresa Henry (D, Missoula ) Galen Hollenbaugh (D, Helena) Chuck Hunter (D, Helena) Mike Jopek (D, Whitefish) Deb Kottel (D, Great Falls ) Margie MacDonald (D, Billings ) Sue Malek (D, Missoula ) Dave McAlpin (D, Missoula ) Bill McChesney (D, Miles City ) Edith McClafferty (D, Butte ) Mike Menahan (D, Helena) Pat Noonan (D, Ramsay) Mike Phillips (D, Bozeman ) Jennifer Pomnichowski (D, Bozeman ) Michele Reinhart (D, Missoula ) Diane Sands (D, Missoula ) Jon Sesso (D, Butte ) Kendall Van Dyk (D, Billings ) Dan Villa (D, Anaconda) Franke Wilmer (D, Bozeman ) Bill Wilson (D, Great Falls ) Brady Wiseman (D, Bozeman )

VIEW THESE BILLS HERE:
http://data.opi.mt.gov/bills/2009/billhtml/SB0046.htm http://data.opi.mt.gov/bills/2009/billhtml/SB0406.htm http://data.opi.mt.gov/bills/2009/billhtml/HB0661.htm http://data.opi.mt.gov/bills/2009/billhtml/SB0497.htm http://data.opi.mt.gov/bills/2009/billhtml/SB0374.htm http://data.opi.mt.gov/bills/2009/billhtml/SB0327.htm

Take Action on Federal Paycheck Fairness

This action alert came from the MT Women's Lobby:

Please contact Senator Baucus and Senator Tester and ask them to co-sponsor and support the federal Paycheck Fairness Act (S.182). The House of Representatives has passed this legislation. Please take a moment to call or email our Montana's Senators. Scroll down for contact info.

TALKING POINTS:
* As your constituent, I strongly urge you to cosponsor and support the Paycheck Fairness Act (S. 182). Passage of the Ledbetter Fair Pay Act was a critical first step, but we also need the Paycheck Fairness Act to achieve pay equity.
* The Paycheck Fairness Act is a comprehensive bill that would create stronger incentives for employers to follow the law, empower women to negotiate for equal pay, strengthen federal outreach, education and enforcement efforts, strengthen penalties for equal pay violations, and prohibit retaliation against workers who ask about employers' wage practices or disclose their own wages. Together with the Ledbetter bill, this critical piece of legislation can help to create a climate where wage discrimination is not tolerated, and give the administration the enforcement tools it needs to make real progress on pay equity.
· Women in Montana earn an average of 70 cents for every dollar a man earns. American Indian women earn 58 cents. While we have come a long way since the Equal Pay Act was signed into law in 1964, pay discrimination is still prevalent. The Paycheck Fairness Act is a much needed update of the 45-year-old law, closing loopholes and creating deterrents to pay discrimination.
· Due to rising unemployment rates, an unprecedented number of women are now the family breadwinner - making pay equity even more critical, not simply to family economic security but also to the nation's economic recovery.
· With a record 71 million women in the workforce, wage discrimination hurts the majority of American families, both in terms of their economic security today and their retirement security tomorrow.

How to Contact Senators Baucus and Tester:
Senator Jon Tester (202) 224-2644 http://tester.senate.gov/ Helena Office: 449-5401
Senator Max Baucus (202) 224-2651 http://baucus.senate.gov/ Billings Office: 657-6790

Help Restore Indian Education for All Funding!

Support funding for Indian Education for All
Senate Finance and Claims Wednesday March 25th

The Montana Senate Finance and Claims Committee will hear the state budget bill -House Bill 2 - starting Wednesday March 23rd. We need people to support restoring funding to Indian Education for All. Schools currently get $30.00 per ANB (average number of students). The current budget proposal funds IEA at $20.40 per ANB. We are asking constituents to write to write or call members of the Senate Finance Committee and express support of restoring funding. Here is a sample email or phone script. A list of the Committee members and additional talking points are listed below.

Talking Points

Indian Education for All is a constitutional promise, it is in statute 20-1-501, it is a part of the definition of a quality education, and it is part of the Supreme Decision of 2005 on school funding. It needs to be a part of every school and classroom in Montana, which requires adequate resources.

While Indian Education for All was included in the MT Constitution in 1972, it has only been funded since 2005

We know that these are difficult economic times but the state is setting priorities as to where money should be spent. It’s important to the future health of our state that we all understand and acknowledge American Indian heritage and contributions to Montana.

Our schools need sustainable adequate funding to continue to provide teacher training, to purchase materials for instruction, to help with our curriculum integration and support student activities.

We can’t reduce the funding and hope for success.

Committee Members:

Call 444-4800 to leave a message for the Senators

Finance and Claims
Bales, Keith (R) (Ch)
Lewis, Dave (R) (V Ch)
Barkus, Gregory (R)
Barrett, Debby (R)
Brenden, John (R)
Brueggeman, John (R)
Cooney, Mike (D)
Esp, John (R)
Gallus, Steve (D)
Hansen, Ken (D)
Hawks, Bob (D)
Laible, Rick (R)
Peterson, Jim (R)
Ripley, Rick (R)
Schmidt, Trudi (D)
Tropila, Mitch (D)
Wanzenried, David (D)
Williams, Carol (D)
Zinke, Ryan (R)

Take Action on Ending the Death Penalty!

This update comes from the MT Human Rights Network, an MWV member....

We Need Your Help!

Senate Bill 236 will abolish Montana's death penalty and replace it with life without possibility of parole.The bill passed the Senate and we need you help in the House. The time for action is NOW!

Did you know?

Despite our best and most sincere efforts, humans make errors. Death is permanent; a mistake in execution cannot be corrected.

In the U.S., 130 people have been sentenced to death & were later found innocent.
The death penalty is disproportionately applied to the poor and people of color.
Every state cost study ever done has found that the death penalty costs millions more than a system of life without parole.

The length and publicity surrounding cases seeking the death penalty forces victims' loved ones to constantly relive their pain and delays their healing process. TAKE ACTION NOW!

Contact your State Representative right nowand Tell them to vote FOR SB 236

CALL: Call 406-444-4800, Between 8am and 5pm, Monday through Friday to leave a phone message.

MAIL: 

Representative ______
Montana House of Representatives
PO Box 200400
Helena, MT 59620

Hearing SB 236 - Wed. March 25th 8:00 am - House Judicary Committee - Room 303, Captial

Three Bad Choice Bills Are Still Alive...

Senator Dan McGee's two bills that seriously threaten a woman's right to privacy are headed to House Judiciary as well, contact that committee and thank them for their vote on SB 374 and ask them to continue to vote in support of women's right to privacy and stop SB 46 and SB 406. Call and leave a message for the full House Judiciary Committee, 406.444.4800.(SB 46 would give the government compelling state interest in the unborn and SB 406 would constitutionally define that life begins at conception).


SB 327, Carried by Sen. Aubin Curtiss (R) would give legal rights to a fetus under the veil of this being a violence against women issue. Call and leave a message for the full House Judiciary Committee, 406.444.4800, and tell them to stop this bill because better solutions exist to stop violence against pregnant women.

Check out this article about the State Budget!

Story:
Legislators strike deal on budget

A key House committee Monday hammered out what one member called a "historic" bipartisan deal on the state budget, agreeing to cut spending from multiple agencies yet still fund a new health-insurance expansion for up to 30,000 Montana kids.

"This is kind of an historic milestone, in my tenure up here," said Rep. Walter McNutt, R-Sidney, and vice-chairman of the House Appropriations Committee. "I think we've demonstrated that we can come up here and get along."

For more of this story, click on or type the URL below:

http://www.helenair.com/articles/2009/03/10/top/55st_090310_budget.txt

Check out these MWV Photos!

Niraja Golightly at International Women's Day Event at the Capitol! Niraja made all of these fabulous MWV banners!

Check out all of our photos from International Women's Day and the Women's Policy Leadership Institute! 

Letter to the Editor Resources!

• Are you making a call to action on The Healthy MT Kids Plan? Or some other issue being debated at the 2009 Session? Check out these resources to help you write and publish your letter to the editor!
• We all read the Opinion section, get your two cents in! It is also a great way to show elected officials what community members are thinking. Remember, the people who represent you will be reading the letters to the editor, so why not let them know what you are thinking.
• These are some letter to the editor hints from MWV member NARAL Pro Choice MT! How to write a letter to the editor:
  Purpose:
  To respond negatively or positively to an article or editorial that a newspaper has printed on an issue important to you.
  Use:
  Write letters that respond to news coverage that is erroneous or different from your position—but don’t expect your letters to be printed every time. A follow-up call to the paper may increase the likelihood that your letter will be printed.
  Format:
  The most important issue should be in the first paragraph. If your letter responds to an article or editorial printed in that paper, reference the title, date, and author of the original piece in the opening sentence.
  Papers vary in their word limits for letters, but your letter should be between 100-300 words. The shorter it is, the more likely it is to be printed.
  
• Find you local Newspaper and get writing!
• Daily Newspapers:Billings: GazetteBozeman: ChronicleButte: Montana StandardGreat Falls: TribuneHamilton: Ravalli RepublicHavre: Daily NewsHelena: Independent Record Kalispell: Inter LakeLivingston: EnterpriseMiles City: StarMissoula: Missoulian
• Weekly Newspapers: Baker: Fallon County Times Bigfork: Eagle Chester: Liberty County Times Choteau: Acantha Clancy: Jefferson County Courier Columbia Falls: Hungry Horse News Columbus: Stillwater County News Deer Lodge: Silver State Post Eureka: Tobacco Valley News Glasgow: Courier Laurel: Outlook Lewistown: News-Argus Libby: Western News Lone Peak: Lookout Polson: Lake County Leader Red Lodge: Carbon County News Shelby: Promoter Sidney: Herald-Leader Stevensville: Bitterroot Star Whitefish: Pilot
• Alternative: Belgrade: Yellowstone Net Billings: Outpost Helena: Queen City News Missoula: Independent
  

MWV Legislative Half-Time Report!

Can't read the report? Click on it and it will become readable!

MWV Legislative Half Time Report - Tour Dates!

Come hear Montana Women Vote's insider transmittal (half-time) report on this legislative session around issues important to women and families like: economic self-sufficiency, environmental health, education, reproductive rights, health care, human rights, violence against women and voting.

Learn what important bills are still alive (which ones aren’t) and what you can do to increase the likelihood of some positive outcomes this session. Montana Women Vote Co-Directors, Alysha Goheen Jannotta and Judy Smith will be the presenters. Some snacks and beverages will be served.

Missoula
YWCA Missoula
1130 W. Broadway
Fri. Feb. 27th 12-1:30
Presented by Judy Smith

Great Falls
Baker Bob’s Bakery
112 Central
Meeting room
Sat. Feb. 28th 10:30 – 12:00
Presented by Alysha Goheen Jannotta

Billings
McCormick Café
Back meeting room
2419 Montana Ave
Sat. Feb. 28th 1-2:30pm
Presented by Judy Smith

Bozeman
Rocky Mtn Roasters
701 W. Main (7th and Main)
Upstairs meeting room
Sun. March 1st 4-5:30pm
Presented by Judy Smith

Hamilton
306 State St. (State and 4th)
Public Library
Downstairs meeting room
Tuesday March 3rd 1-2pm

Presented by Alysha Goheen Jannotta

All of these events are free....

Update on Healthy MT Kids Plan...

Your calls and emails went in, and opponents of fully funding the Healthy MT Kids Plan are feeling the pressure! Check out this article for an update on the funding, how we got to this point, and where the funding battle will head next....

Didn't have a chance to speak out in support of Healthy MT Kids yet? Check out our post from Thurs. February 19th and take action! 

SB 46 - A Constitutional Amendment Removing Womens' Rights to Privacy - Passes MT Senate

This session, Senator Dan McGee, (R- Laurel) introduced SB 46, a constitutional amendment that would remove the strong right to privacy that has protected Montanans since 1972. 
SB 46 would give the state a compelling interest in every pregnancy and negatively impact Montanans' ability to make personal medical decisions free from the influence of the government. This is a radical attempt to allow broad government intrusion into our private decisions.

This bill passed out of the Senate with a 28-22 vote. It will now go to the house, so we will need your help and will post an action alert as soon as we know where it is headed. Stay tuned and help us kill this dangerous bill....

SB 46 - Removing Womens' Rights to Privacy - Up on Senate Floor Today!

SB 46 on Senate Floor Today - Contact your Senator!!

After a similar CI-100 ballot initiative was not supported by Montanans last year, Senator McGee, (R- Laurel) is sponsoring SB 46, which amends the MT Constitution, eliminating privacy protections that have been in place for nearly 40 years by stating that the unborn life is a “compelling state interest.”

This would authorize governmental intrusion into every pregnancy and undermine private medical decisions made between a woman and her doctor. Besides attempting to ban abortion, SB 46 and ignores the complex medical decision-making process for women with high risk pregnancies. Access to emergency contraception, in vitro fertilization, and birth control will all be jeopardized. 

This bill has made it out of committee and is on the Senate Floor today! Contact your Senator!

Call Right now: 406.444.4800

Or send your Senator an email...

Healthy MT Kids Funding in Jeopardy - Call Your Legislators!

Raise Your Voice

for Healthy Montana Kids!

Yesterday, funding for Healthy MT Kids was voted down in committee on a party-line vote, but we know that this is not a partisan issue!

Health care for kids is a priority for Montana families!

Funding was included in the Governor's Executive Budget,

but was voted down yesterday in a 4-4, straight party line vote in the Joint Subcommittee on Appropriations for Health and Human Services. 

The Healthy Montana Kids Plan passed last November with overwhelming support from Montana voters. It passed in every legislative district, in every county, and it carried 70% of the total vote.

It is time to raise our voices again!

Please contact targeted members of the Committee:

Chair: Rep. Teresa Henry, D-Missoula - voted for

Vice chair: Sen. Dave Lewis, R-Helena - voted against

and contact your Representative and your Senator!

The message is simple: 

Voters spoke out; health care for kids in a priority in Montana!

The Legislature needs to fund Healthy Montana Kids! 

Contact your Legislators by email or by calling 406-444-4800

Don't know who your Legislators are? Check out this map, or visit Project Vote Smart....

Want to know more? Check out this article in the Billings Gazette. 

Joint Sub-Committee on Appropriations for Health and Human Services Members:

Target...Chair: Rep. Teresa Henry, D-Missoula - voted for

Target...Vice chair: Sen. Dave Lewis, R-Helena - voted against

Target...Rep. Penny Morgan, R-Billings - voted against

Rep. Carolyn Pease-Lopez, D-Billings - voted for

Target...Rep. Don Roberts, R-Billings - voted against

Sen. John Esp, R-Big Timber - voted against

Sen. Trudi Schmidt, D-Great Falls - voted for

Sen. David Wanzenried, D-Missoula - voted for 

Cap Payday Lender, Stop Mercury Pollution, and Fund Comprehensive Sex Education

Stop mercury pollution from thermostats (Support SB 424)

Thermostats represent the largest amount of mercury in household products. In Montana, few opportunities exist for recycling mercury thermostats and they end up in landfills, but SB 424 can change that! The bill would ban the sale of mercury containing thermostats and create a collection program for those that are already in use. This will help keep mercury, a dangerous neuro and reproductive toxin, our of our communities. SB 424 will be heard on Thursday, Feb. 19th. This is a important, non-partisan issue and we need to tell the entire committee that now is the time to stop mercury pollutants from household thermostats. Call the Session Information Desk at 406-444-4800, ask to leave a message for the Senate Energy and Telecommunications Committee. Your message will be delivered directly to the legislators. The Telephone Device for the Deaf number is 406-444-4462.  (The desk is open from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)

Cap payday lender rates and help get HB 396 onto the House Floor! 

The predatory lending debate isn't over yet. Last week, we asked you to take action on HB 396, which would cap the rates that payday lenders and vehicle title-lenders can charge. Well, the bill is now stuck in committee! We need to contact every Representative in order to get it onto the House Floor for a vote. Please contactyour Representative and ask them to support Montana families and end predatory lending by voting for HB 396. Not sure who your representative is? Click on this interactive map to find out! Or got to Project Vote Smart and enter your zip code...

Comprehensive Sex Education (Support HB 596)

HB 596, the Healthy Teens Act, would fund comprehensive sex education in Montana. It would expand the Office of Public Instruction’s existing HIV/AIDS Prevention Program to include teen pregnancy prevention, healthy relationships and other STI/STD prevention. It would also provide training, materials, and technical assistance to school administrators, teachers, AND students, so that they can act as peer educators to their schools and communities! This bill will be heard in the House Human Services Committee on Wednesday February 18th. Please contact members of the committee and urge them to support Montana's youth by providing them information to protect their health and safety and make responsible life decisions.  

Committee members:                                                         Jeffrey Welborn, Dillon (R) Committee Target, Arlene Becker, Billings (D), Mary Caferro, Helena, (D), Pat Ingraham, Thompson Falls, (R), Bill Beck, Whitefish (R), Julie French, Scobey (D), Tim Furey, Milltown (D), David Howard, Park City (R), Chuck Hunter, Helena (D), Dave McAlpin, Missoula (D), Michael More, Gallatin Gateway (R), Pat Noonan, Ramsay (D), Ken Peterson, Billings (R), Diane Sands, Missoula (D), Cary Smith, Billings (R), Ron Stoker, Darby (R)

Celebrate and Advocate with MWV for International Women's Day!

International Women's Day* - March 6th, Capitol in Helena!

10am-3pm, with option to come early or stay later to listen to or participate in hearings, save the date!

• Learn Skills & Get In The Loop! Skill building and issue-based workshops will be offered from 10-11:30 and from 1:30 to 2:45. Workshop info below:

* 10:00 to 11:30am How to Grassroots Lobby (rm. 261) Secretary of State Main Conference west wing of 2nd floor. Led by Judy Smith, Kelson Young, Terry Kendrick and Angela Goodhope. MWV encourages you to advocate for issues you care about and have your voice heard.

* 10:00 to 11:30am Women Legislator Panel: Come get inside story from the source (rm. 350) Sponsored by the Democratic Women's Legislative Caucus

*1:30 to 2:45pm Health Care: Let's Make it Happen (rm. 152) Speakers, Jamee Greer Montana Human Rights Network, Stacey Anderson, Planned Parenthood, and Molly Moody, Montanan's for Health Care/Healthcare for America Now National Campaign

* 1:30 to 2:45pm Women Working for a Sustainable World: Actions you can take to support sustainable energy, transportation and food systems (rm. 172) Speakers, Linda Gryczan, Lobbyist for Grow Montana, Amy Cilimburg, National Audubon Society, and Sustainable Transportation speaker TBA

• Be Part of the Status of Women in the 2009 Session Rally! Meet women legislators over lunch and learn what is happening this session around issues important to women and families like: economic self-sufficiency, environmental health, education, reproductive rights, health care, human rights, and domestic violence and sexual assault. Your participation will send a strong message that the women of Montana are watching.
• Advocate! Montana Women Vote encourages you to advocate for issues you care about. Perhaps you want to attend a hearing or speak to your legislator. Not sure how? Don’t Worry! We will help demystify the marble halls so you can have your voice heard.
• Put On Your Purple! Please wear purple, so we can color the halls with our presence.
• Bring a friend! Ever been curious about what happens at the capitol? This is the perfect day to come check it out! Make it even more fun by bringing some friends along!
• RSVP Today! You won’t want to miss it! To RSVP (please do so if you can) or for more info, contact Alysha at info@montanawomenvote.orgor 543-3550 X214. Carpools from several communities. Event is free.

**Since its birth in the early 1900's, International Women's Day has grown to become a global day of recognition and celebration across developed and developing countries alike. The United Nations holds an annual IWD conference highlighting women's rights and participation in social, political and economic processes. Women's organizations and governments around the world observe IWD annually around March 8th by holding large-scale events that honor women's advancement and diligently reminding of the continued vigilance and action required to ensure that women's equality is gained and maintained in all aspects of life.

Women's Policy Leadership Institute Wrap-Up!

The 2009 Women’s Policy Leadership Institute, WPLI, was held in January in Helena and was a great success! We had over 90 women attend from all over Montana. Most of the participants had never done policy work before and were able to get their feet wet! This year we had a group of women who participated in a Friday morning session at the Legislature where we did some first-hand citizen lobbying. Friday and Saturday afternoon consisted of great panels and workshops to do skill-building as well as hear the voices and perspectives of women working in the policy field, from elected officials to policy advocacy leaders. Thanks to everyone who presented and attended! But don't let your citizen lobbyist days be over yet...MWV will be back in Helena on March 6th to Celebrate and Advocate to honor International Women's Day! We'll see you there!

Contact Your Senators, Vote NO on Gender Discrimination in Insurance

This message came today from the State Auditor of MT, Monica Lindeen....

The Montana constitution and Montana law prohibits any insurer from discriminating on the basis of sex or marital status. This law has been on the books in Montana for 25 years, and for 25 years no legislature has overturned it.

But these protections are at risk, Senate Bill 142, sponsored by Senator Gary Perry (R, Manhatten-35) would allow insurance companies to discriminate against women in insurance pricing.

I testified against this bill in the Montana Legislature. Now, I need your help to defeat it.

Take a quick minute TODAY to please contact your legislator online or by phone....

Keep it simple. State your opposition to SB 142, give your address and phone number so that your legislator knows you live in her or his district.

• Just as we do not tolerate the practice of using race as a factor in setting rates, we should not and do not tolerate using gender.
  
• In fact, studies have shown that in states without laws against gender discrimination in insurance products there is widespread disparity in the cost of health insurance. In these states, many women pay much more than men of the same age for insurance policies providing identical coverage. That just isn't right.
  
• This bill would hurt Montana families by increasing the cost of insurance and decreasing the benefits they receive.
  
• The bill is unconstitutional.
  
• The LA Times recently reported that the California Department of Insurance is being sued for allowing insurers to discriminate against women after California "approved a system that allows the insurance companies to impose "gender rating" when pricing policies, resulting in women paying as much as 39% more for coverage then men."
  

Montana's "Non-gender" insurance law benefits all consumers.

• Insurance companies must treat all consumers equally. Auto insurance premiums decrease for men, and women benefit on life and health policies.

• In 2006, 30 other states had a higher average premium for personal automobile insurance. The average combined premium in Montana is 11% lower than the national average.
  

Montana Women Vote Action Alert - February 9th!

650% Interest is Predatory Lending (Cap interest rates, support HB 396)

In Montana, payday and vehicle title lenders charge “finance fees” that equal an APR (annual percentage rate) of up to 650%, the highest rate allowed in any state. Many families get caught in a debt trap and lose their cars or even go bankrupt. HB 396 sponsored by Bill Wilson (D) Great Falls, would limit interest rates on pay day & title loans in MT to 36% APR (many other states have already capped at this rate). House Business and Labor Committee will hear the bill today and legislators are going to vote on it in the next few days. Please contact committee members ASAP and tell them to protect consumers in our state by capping pay-day lending through passage of HB 396. This is not a partisan issue and it is important to contact legislators from both parties.

Legislators in MWV communities on the committee to contact- - Rep. Elsie Arntzen (R) Billings, Rep. Gordon Vance (R) Bozeman (possible swing vote really important to contact), Rep. Mike Milburn (R) Cascade, Chuck Hunter (D) Helena, Michelle Reinhart (D) Missoula.

They're Back!(Oppose SB 46)

After a similar CI-100 ballot initiative was not supported by Montanans last year, Senator McGee, (R- Laurel) is sponsoring SB 46, which amends the MT Constitution, eliminating privacy protections that have been in place for nearly 40 years by stating that the unborn life is a “compelling state interest.” This would authorize governmental intrusion into every pregnancy and undermine private medical decisions made between a woman and her doctor. Besides attempting to ban abortion, SB 46 and ignores the complex medical decision-making process for women with high risk pregnancies. Access to emergency contraception, in vitro fertilization, and birth control will all be jeopardized. This bill is expected to make it out of committee and onto the floor – so we must talk to all Senators about this bill – please do your part and contact your Senator today. Don’t know who your is Senator? Use this map to find out.

Support Investment in Family Planning (keep in the budget HB 2)

The best way to reduce unintended pregnancies is to offer affordable family planning. In the last session, $1 million dollars in funding (for the last two years) was included to help 27 family planning clinics across the state offset the skyrocketing cost of birth control. This year, the Governor’s proposed budget continued this funding. This Wed. the 11th, Representatives and Senators on the Joint Health and Human Services Subcommittee will have a hearing regarding this funding. If you think family planning is a sensible investment in our communities, please contact members of the committee today and ask them to make sure family planning is fully funded in this year’s budget. Targets on the committee: Sen. Dave Lewis, R-Helena, Rep. Penny Morgan, R-Billings, Rep. Carolyn Pease-Lopez, D-Billings, Rep Don Roverts, R-Billings.